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Back to Juniors HomepageUseful Information for Juniors


This section contains details on:

  • Parental Guidance
  • Duty Of Care
  • How to Prepare for your game of golf
  • Handicaps
  • Code of Conduct
  • 2009 Coaching Programme

 

Parental Guidance

Parents have an important role to play in their child's membership and participation in golf and must take overall responsibility for their child's behaviour and conduct. The County has a duty of care towards children when they are involved in County activities or socialising.

It is expected that PGA Professionals, coaches, staff and volunteers will endeavour to develop trusting relationships with all junior members. However, as a parent, you should check that an action plan exists to ensure good practice in child protection.

Parents are encouraged to:

  • Take an interest in their children's activity and progress and be supportive.
    Introduce themselves to the adults involved in the supervision of the Juniors, the Junior Organiser, PGA professional, coaches and the Golf Welfare Officer.
  • Find out what the County has to offer regarding coaching sessions and junior competitions and any playing restrictions for children.
  • Obtain any good practice guidance and Codes of Conduct for children from the County and go through them with their child.
  • Be punctual when dropping off and picking up their children for and from coaching and competitions.
  • Take in interest in who their child is playing with and introduce themselves, if they are playing with an adult they do not know.
  • When leaving their child make sure they have made the necessary provisions for their requirements and for the weather conditions.
  • Ensure that the County has a contact number when parents are away from the event - a mobile would be preferable - and they should ensure that they leave their mobile switched on so that they can be contacted in an emergency.
  • Ensure that all necessary contact numbers have been established.
    Advise the Golf Welfare Officer or Junior Organiser if their child has any particular needs (e.g. allergies, learning disabilities)
  • Discuss any concerns regarding the organisation of activities or the behaviour of adults towards their children with the Golf Welfare Officer.
  • Enquire if other adults and children who attend County events are happy and confident with the procedures in place and that they know what to do about concerns.

Duty Of Care

The Bedfordshire County Ladies Golf Association takes its Duty of Care towards young players UNDER THE AGE OF 18 very seriously and it requires all those involved in the Bedfordshire County Ladies Golf Association to do likewise.

Not only should care and protection of young players be recognised on the course and at events but their well being off the course should also be ensured.

Whether it is by the event organiser, committee, coach, parent or guardian, responsibility must be taken for all YOUNG PLAYERS on and off the course during their time at Bedfordshire County Ladies Golf Association events and also responsibility must be taken for ensuring that all necessary travelling arrangements are made to and from events.

Young players need encouragement and we must all be mindful of this by offering positive, supportive comments to them and not negative criticism. If the event organisers, or committee members, decide that this directive is not being adhered to they are responsible for dealing with the situation which may result in the offending person being told to leave the course/clubhouse area.

If you have any concerns regarding Duty of Care they should be directed initially to the Event Organiser who may decide to refer to the BEDFORDSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION WELFARE OFFICER: Heather Nolan on 01234 781747 or heathernolan@tiscali.co.uk who will decide what action to take. If you wish you may of course refer the matter to the Welfare Officer direct.

Be Prepared

Golf is an outdoor sport and can be played in all weather conditions for which you should be prepared. Below is a check list that every golfer needs.

Important Information for your Parents:

  • Timing: 18 holes of golf takes about 4 hours. Girls will generally play in 3 or 4 balls teeing off every 6-8 minutes. So if a competition starts at 12 and there are 30 girls playing, the last players will be finished around 5pm.
  • Dress Code: Not all golf clubs allow shorts in the club house, and almost all clubs won't let you wear trainers, vest tops or tracksuits indoors. If you are unsure, please check the dress code with the club before you arrive.
  • Special Rules: Always read the course notice board or competition information for any special rules for the day.

What should you have in the bag?
EVERY TIME YOU PLAY GOLF, REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR CLUBS!!
In your bag you should have:

  • Enough Balls for your round
  • Tee Pegs
  • A Ball Marker
  • A Pitch Mark Repairer
  • Golf Glove
  • A pencil and a scorecard to keep score (you will be able to get a scorecard from the pro shop before you go out)

What else should you bring?
Don't forget to also bring:

  • Golf Shoes as well as your ordinary shoes - you must always wear golf shoes on the course and ordinary shoes in the clubhouse.
  • A spare pair of socks
  • A change of clothes if you are eating afterwards
  • Snacks to eat on the way round if you're likely to get hungry!

In the winter you will also need:

  • Lots of warm layers. It may not feel cold, but you are outside for a long time, and the temperature can change.
  • Bring a woolly hat and some gloves as your head and hands will get the coldest.
  • If it looks like it will rain, you will need waterproofs and an umbrella. If you wear glasses, a baseball cap or a visor is also very useful.

In the summer you will also need:

  • Sun block and a hat
  • And remember to drink plenty of water. (not fizzy drinks)

 

Handicaps

How to Get a Handicap
The CONGU Handicapping Scheme allows golfers of all ages to obtain a handicap of up to 36 for ladies. This requires 3 cards over 18 holes to be submitted to your club. If you are ready to acquire a Handicap please contact your Ladies Captain or Club Junior Organiser for assistance.

The CONGU Handicapping Scheme requires the completion of 18 holes, and many children cannot achieve this although their golfing ability is progressing. The EGU / EWGA Handicapping Scheme allows juniors to obtain a handicap of up to 54 over 6 or 9 holes. This ensures that they and their junior organisers can measure their progress over time, even though they may not be able to complete 18 holes.

The Junior Handicap is not an official CONGU handicap, in that it will not allow holders to enter competitions as if they held a CONGU handicap, but it does allow juniors to compete against each other and encourages and motivates young players to improve.

Cutting Your Handicap
If you play below your handicap in competition (or an extra day card) do you know how to calculate your exact new handicap? First check the day's Competition Standard Scratch and then use the chart below to calculate how much to cut your handicap by: 

Current Handicap:

Shots Below CSS:		 Category 1

0-5		 Category 2

6 - 12		 Category 3

13 - 19		 Category 4

20 - 28		 Category 5

29 - 36
1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
2 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
3 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5
4 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0
5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
6 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 3.0
7 0.7 1.4 2.1 2.8 3.5
8 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0
9 0.9 1.8 2.7 3.6 4.5
10 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

Note - when cutting several shots, you may have to do the calculation in 2 parts. For example, if you have an exact handicap of 5.8 and play 3 under CSS, after cutting 0.4, you move to category 1 and only cut 0.1 so your new handicap will be 5.3.

 

Code Of Conduct

This code of conduct has been designed to ensure that all young golfers have a point of reference providing the minimum standards expected when participating in golf activities organised by Bedfordshire Ladies County Golf Association. All young golfers should ensure they are fully conversant with the code at all times.

  • Ensure that all golfers are able to participate in golf without fear of ridicule, harassment or restriction.
  • Treat other golfers with the same respect and fairness you would like them to show you.
  • Demonstrate fair play on and off the course. Respect the differences in gender, disability, culture, race, ethnicity, age, social orientation and religious beliefs between yourself and others.
  • Challenge discrimination and prejudice.
  • Look out for yourself and the welfare of others.
  • Do not engage in any irresponsible, abusive, inappropriate or illegal behaviour.
  • Challenge behaviour that falls below expected standards of the county.
  • Speak out if you have concerns about anything, your own needs or the needs of others.
  • Be organised and on time.
  • You must not:
    • Consume alcohol or illegal and performance enhancing drugs.
    • Smoke
    • Use foul language